In a swift and coordinated diplomatic maneuver, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will lead a video conference with key European allies today, a meeting designed to reinforce a unified front and ensure Ukraine’s interests are not sidelined ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s crucial White House visit. The talks, which will include French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, are a direct response to the outcome of President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The coalition of the willing, a group of over 30 nations committed to Ukraine’s defense, is meeting to discuss a new strategy for peace after the Trump-Putin summit ended without a ceasefire agreement. President Trump has since shifted his public position, advocating for a direct “peace agreement” over a temporary ceasefire. This pivot has raised alarms in Kyiv and across Europe, where leaders fear it could force Ukraine into a deal that involves ceding territory.
The primary message from the London-led meeting is clear and consistent: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Starmer’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister has already spoken with President Trump and other European leaders to stress the importance of including Zelensky in any future talks. He has also commended Trump’s efforts to “bring an end to the killing” but has remained firm that any deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The European leaders are also seeking “robust and credible security guarantees” for Ukraine as part of any peace deal. This is a critical point of concern, as they have long been hesitant to commit military personnel to a future peace deal without a clear commitment from the United States. Recent signals from the Trump administration have been more encouraging on this front, with the President welcoming “the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees.”
For now, all eyes are on Monday’s scheduled meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky. The talks will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since a contentious Oval Office encounter in February. Zelensky has stated that he intends to “discuss all details regarding ending the killings, ending the war” during his Washington visit.
The video conference today serves as a powerful reminder that while the U.S. may be the primary driver of a potential peace deal, Europe is determined to ensure that Ukraine’s future is not decided without its consent. As the diplomatic dance continues, the allied nations are working to ensure that any deal that emerges is both just and lasting, and that it puts an end to the brutal war that has ravaged Ukraine for more than three years.